Truck crane



Dec. 19, 1944. R. 0. BlLLlNGS TRUCK CRANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept.2, 1942 QM hr \N v Q NhAmY fl wmm m Q o \w mw R. o. BILLINGS TRUCK CRANEFiled Sept. 2, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 .Illl

'E/QQ- 2o R. O. BILLINGS TRUCK CRANE Dec. 19, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 1942 v INVENTOR 7' TORNZ 1 5.

Dec. 19, 1944.

R. O. BILLINGS TRUCK CRANE Filed Sept. 2, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTORNEY.

Dec. 19, 1944.

R. O. BlLLlNGS TRUCK CRANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 2, 1942 INVENTOR.

A TTORIVE Vs.

Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'raucx cams Roy 0.nminn. Milwaukee, wu. v Application Selltunber z, 1942, Serial No.451,052

21 Claims. (01. 212-55) This invention relates to improvements in truckcranes.

Heretofore, in order to provide a truck crane it has been customary tomount the upper portion of a standard crane on a large-size truck, andbecause of the weight of the standard crane structure it has beenconsidered necessary to use a seven-ton truck. The standard type ofcrane, however, has more power than can beutilized because when it ismounted on a truck there are definite limits as to the size of the loadwhich can be safely handled. In practice, it has not been foundpractical to employ the crane for lifting more than six tons.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improvedtruck crane structure which can be designed to readily handle loads upto six tons, and to provide a structure wherein the crane is supportedin a novel manner on a relatively small-size vehicle, such as aoneand-one-half ton tractor.

A further object of the invention is to niake it possible to accomplishthe above by the use of a crane structure wherein there is a ramoperated telescoping boom and wherein a hydraulically operated cable andsheave means for controlling the boom load line and for controlling theangular raising and lowering of the boom is' provided. Thus thestructure eliminates the complicated drums, brakes, and clutchesheretofore found necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide a crane structurewherein the raising and lowering of the angular position of the boom maybe accomplished with great rapidity, as distinguished from the slowmanipulation resulting from the use of screw mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a truck crane whereinthe boom is mounted on a turntable and wherein novel means is employedfor conducting hydraulic medium through a plurality of conduitsextending through the axis of rotation for the turntable, withoutinterfering with the rotating movement of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a truck crane structureincluding longitudinally movable outrigger wheels and novel means forcontrolling the movement thereof.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of theimproved truck crane and all its parts and combinations as set forth inthe claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one complete embodiment of thepreferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numeralsdesignate the same parts in all of the views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved truck crane, partsbeing broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the truck crane, part of the boombeing broken away and the dot-and-dash lines indicating an extendedposition for the outrigger wheels;

Fig. 3 is a. partially diagrammatic top view of the truck crane showingmore particularly the hydraulic connections and the outrigger wheeloperating mechanism, the turntable and wheels being designated bydot-and-dash lines so as not to obstruct the showing of the otherfeatures;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken ap proximately on the line Hof Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken approximatelyat the location indicated by the line 8-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view through the boom, looking at theinner end thereof and illustrating the supporting carriage attached tosaid end;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale takenapproximately on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1 and illustrating thetelescopingarrangement for the boom extension;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view illus trating the cable andsheave arrangement for operating the boom and for operating the boomload line;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view through the turntable structure,parts being broken away;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken through the center pin,illustrating associated structure;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on the linei2-l2 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion ofthe center pin structure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l5 designates arear portion of the chassis of a relatively small size tractor, such asa one-and-one-half ton tractor. The standard rear wheels it of thetractor are also indicated.

The auxiliary frame and outrigger Mounted on top of the portions II, andconnected by means of bolts II or other suitable means, is an auxiliaryframe I 8. The auxiliary frame has a portion it which projects beyondthe rear wheels I of the tractor and which supports an outriggerassemblage 20, the latter being connected by bolts such as thoseindicated at 2|. The auxiliary frame I8 as well as the rear extension 9thereof may be provided with a top plate 22 (see Fig. 2) and there arealso a plurality of transversely extending I-beams 23 for strengtheningthe top plate 22.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, there is a short arm 24 extending downwardlyfrom the top plate 22 on the rear side of the rearwardmost I-beam 23 anda similar short arm. 24 extending downwardly on the other side of theI-beam 23 (see Fig. These arms 24 and 24' support a roller 25 and asmaller roller 25 Near the other end of the rearwardmost I-beam 23 is alonger downwardly extending arm 26 on one side of the I-beam and 26' onthe other side of the I-beam (see Fig. 5),. The arms 26 and 26 supportnear their lower ends rollers 21 and 28.

Wheels 29 on one side of the outrigger are supported on an axle 30, andsaid axle projects from a slide 3|. The slide 3| has arms 32 and 33rigidly secured thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom. These armssupport rollers 34 and 35 therebetween. The wheels 36 on the other sideof the outrigger are mounted on an axle 31, and said axle projects froma lower slide 38. The slide 38 has rigidly connected thereto upwardlyprojecting arms 39 and 48 carrying rollers 4| and 42 therebetween. Theslide 38 is preferably of I-beam construction, as shown in Fig. 4, and

includes bottom flanges 43, and top flanges 44 forming a rail. The slide3| is also of I-beam construction and includes bottom flanges 45 and topflanges 46, both of which serve as rails. In addition, the bottomflanges 41 of the I-beam 23 serve as a rail. Referring to Figs. 2, 4,and 5, the bottom flanges 41 of the I-beam 23 slide between the rollers34 and 35, and the top flanges 46 of the slide 3| slide between therollers 25 and 25'. Thus through these two sets of rollers the slide 3|is supported for lateral sliding movement from the full-line position ofFig. 2 to the dot-and-dash line position therein to extend the outriggerwheels 29.

The bottom slide 38 has its top flanges 44 slidable between the rollers21 and 28 carried by the arms 26 and 26 so that the slide 38 issupported from the top plate 22 and I-beam 23. In addition the bottomflanges 45 of the slide 3| slide between the rollers 4| and 42 carriedby the arms 48. Thus the slide 38 may be moved laterally from the full.line position of Fig. 2 to the dotand-dash line position therein toextend the wheels 36.

The turntable gear rests on the annular collar 5| and is additionallybolted as at 53 to the plate 22.

A turntable 54 forming a supporting frame for the crane structure has anopening 55 therein through which the portion 50 of the center pinprojects, and the turntable is therefore rotatable around the centerpin. Theturntable includes side channels 56 and a bottom plate 51 havingopenings 58 therein. Rollers 59 suitably supported on the plate 51 ofthe turntable project through the openings 58 to engage the top face ofthe ring gear 52. There are preferably four of such rollers utilized tofurnish proper rolling support for the turntable. A nut 60 threaded onthe upper end of the projecting portion-53 of the center pin presses afriction washer 6| loosely against the top side of the bottom plate 51of the turntable. Thus as the turntable rotates it will rub on thebottom face of the washer 6|.

The movable boom Projectin upwardly from the turntable is a framecomprising spaced side members 62, (see Fig. 1), connected by a pair oftransverse members 63 and 64 at the top (see Fig. 2). Angular guides 65,one on each side of the turntable, have their lower ends rigidlyconnected to the turntable and their upper ends rigidly connected to theupper portions of the vertical frame member 62. These guides have theirinner faces channel-shaped to form tracks for the wheels 66 of acarriage 61 (see Fig. 7). The carriage includes a transverse rod 68which extends rotatably through the inner end of the boom 69, as shownin Fig. 7, so that as the carriage moves from the dotted line positionof Fig. l to the dot-and-dash line position therein the boom is movedfrom the substantially horizontal full-line position of Fig. 1 to thedot-and-dash line position therein.

Cables II connected to the boom carriage 61 as at I0 extend downwardlyaround sheaves I2 near the lower ends of the guides 65, and thenforwardly to the bottom of sheaves 13 (see Figs. 1 and 9). The cables IIthen extend upwardly around sheaves I4 and then downwardly where theends are dead-ended to the turntable frame as at 15.

The sheaves I4 are mounted on a common shaft I6. A hydraulic cylinder 11has its lower end connected to the turntable frame and within saidcylinder is a slidable ram 18, which has its upper end engaging thesheave-connecting shaft I6. When fluid is forced into the lower end ofthe cylinder 11 the ram I8 is pushed upwardly from the position of Fig.1 to an elevated position, resulting in a pull upon the cables II andcausing the boom to be pulled from the full line position of Fig. 1 tothe dot-and-dash line position therein. Due to the fact that the boomwhen in the dotand-dash line position of Fig. 1 is still inclinedsomewhat, the boom will tend to return by gravity to the full lineposition of Fig. 1. Thus when hydraulic pressure is released in thecylinder II the gravity actuated movement of the boom will return theram 18 to the position shown in Fig. l.

The boom portion 69 is additionally connected to the turntable by linksI9 which are pivoted to the boom as at 88 and to the turntable as at 8|.

For convenience in transportation the boom is formed in two telescopingparts; that is, there is a boom extension 82 which telescopes within theboom portion 69, the fully telescoped position being illustrated inFig. 1. In order to bring about extension of the boom, there is ahydraulic cylinder 83 connected at its inner end as at 84 to the mainboom portion 69. An extensible ram 85 engages the extensible section 82of the boom through the bracket 86 so that when fluid is pumped underpressure into thecylinder 83 the ram 85 will be forced outwardly tocause an approximate doubling in the effective length of the boom.Hydraulic fluid may flow to the cylinder 83 through a conduit 81, andsaid conduit 2,885,187 may be connected by a flexible hose 99 near thepivot 90 with another conduit portion 99 leading to the hydraulicsystem.

The extended boom portion 82 may be re tracted by gravity when the boomis in the dotand-dash line position to force the ram 80 back into thecylinder and to force the hydraulic fluid out of the cylinderback'through the lines l1, l9, and 89.

The boom load line The boom load line comprises a cable 90 which mayhave its lower end connected to block and tackle, to a hook, or anyother suitable lifting device. The load line extends over a pulley 9I onthe outer end of the boom extension 92, around a pulley 92 supported onthe frame 62 near the inner end of the boom portion 99, and

then downwardly. The downwardly extending portion or the cable 90extends around a bottom sheave 93 (see Fig. 9), upwardly around a sheave94, downwardly again around a sheave '95, upwardly around a sheave 96,and then downof Fig. 9, the effective pull on the cable 90' ismultiplied several times. Thus the load line may be raised hydraulicallyby cable and sheave means without employing the usual drum. The weightof the load on the load line will tend to return the ram 99 to itsposition of Fig. 1 within the cylinder I00 when hydraulic pressure isreleased.

The outrigger wheel moving mechanism Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6,a transverse plate II, which extends below the plate 22 (see Fig. 4)carries sheaves I02 and I03. This plate also carries brackets I04 andI05 which project into the I-beam slides 3| "and 38. The bracket I94supports the inner end of a hydraulic cylinder I03, and this cylinderhas a movable ram I0'I which-engages a bracket I08 secured to the slide3|. into the cylinder I 03 it causes the ram I01 to be extended to pushthe slide 3| from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dot-and-dashline position therein.

The other bracket I05 similarly supports the inner end of a hydrauliccylinder I09 within the slide 39. This cylinder has a movable ramportion IIO which bears against a bracket III connected to the slide 39.When hydraulic fluid is pumped into the cylinder I09, the ram H0 ispushed outwardly, moving the slide 38 and wheels 36 from the full lineposition of Fig. 2 to the dot-and-dash line position therein.

Another hydraulic cylinder II2 extending longitudinally of the tractor,as shown in Fig. 3, has its inner end suitably connected to the plate 22through one of the transverse bracing I-beams 23', as shown in Fig. 6.The hydraulic cylinder II2 has a movable ram portion I I3 which pressesagainst the transverse portion or a slide I I4. The slide II4 extendstransversely of the tractor, as indicated in Fig. 3, and has its endsfitted with sliding plates 5, which slide in guiding chan- As a resultwhen hydraulic fluid is pumpednels II3. A cable I", which is connectedto the slide I I4, extends around the pulley I03, as shown in Fig. 3,and has its other end connected to the outrigger slide 39. Another cableII9, also connected to the slide .I I4 of Fig. 6, extends around thepulley I02 and has its other end connected to the outrigger slide 3I. f

Thus after the outrigger wheels have been extended to the dot -and-dashline position of Fig. 2,,they may be returned to normal position bycreating hydraulic pressure in the cylinder II2 to cause the ram H3 andslide II4 to be moved to the positions of Figs. 3 and 6. This causes apull on the cables Ill and H9 and returns the wheels to the full lineposition of Fig. 2. During this operation it is of course necessary forhydraulic pressure to be released in the hydraulic cylinders I09 andI09.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is supported on one of the side wings of theturntable an oil reservoir II9. Oil from the reservoir is conducted by aconduit I20 through suitable fluid pumps I2I into a line I22. The lineI22 connects with the first valve I23 of a series of valves. The seriesof valves includes valves I23 to I3I inclusive. These valves areoperated by individual manual control levers I32, as shown in Fig. 2.When the lever for the valve I23 is moved to a position to open saidvalve, liquid under pressure flows from the valve through line 99 intoline 81 leading to the hydraulic cylinder 83 of the boom. Thus the valveI23 controls the telescoping of the boom extension 82.

II the valve I24 is opened, oil under pressure flows through the lineI33, through the turntable center pin conduits, and out below theturntable into line I34 leading to the hydraulic cylinder 2. Thus thevalve I24 controls the operation of the outrigger wheel return ram H3.When the valve I25 is opened, hydraulic fluid under pressure flowsthrough the line I35, through the turntable center pin conduits, and outbeneath the turntable through conduit I33 to the outrigger wheelcylinder I09. To cause operation of the outrigger slide 38, the valveI29 when open allows hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow through theline I31, down through the center pin conduits, and out beneath theturntable through conduit I38 leading to the hydraulic cylinder I03 forthe outrigger slide 3|.

When the valve I3I is opened, hydraulic fluid under pressure can flowthrough the line I39 which extends above the turntable, directly to 'thecylinder I00, which operates the ram for the boom load line throughmovement of the sheaves 94 and 96. Similarly, when the valve I30 isopened, oil can flow through the line I40 which leads directly to thecylinder 'I'l for operating the sheaves I4. The valves I29 and I28 areconnected by lines HI and I42 with center pin conduits, and theseconduits connect with lines I43 and I44 respectively beneath theturntable which lead to hydraulic cylinders I45 and I46. These cylindershave rams I41 and I48 which are suitably connected with the front wheelsteering gear to steer the vehicle. The valve I21 controls the flow ofhydraulic fluid through a line 14s. This line leads down through thecenter pin conduits to a line I50 which connects with a hydrauliccylinder I5I. The latter cylinder-operates a ram I52 which may controlthe clutch of the tractor engine. When the valves I23 to I3I are allclosed and the hydraulic pumps are operating, fluid may be by-passedback to the reservoir I19 through by-pass line 9'.

All of the hydraulic cylinders described herein may be built accordingto the principles described and shown in pending application Serial No.450,- 9'14, filed July 15, 1942.

When hydraulic fluid is forced by the pumps I20 and HI into a particularcylinder to extend the ram therein, the valve I23 to I3I being used isin open position. These are standard threeway valves and also have aneutral position which serves to lock the fluid in the cylinder toprevent retraction of the ram. The third valve position is the ramreturn position, and a particular valve is shifted to this position Justprior to causing return of the ram. When in this position'the oil in theparticular cylinder is forced out of the cylinder, back through thevalve and into the line 9' leading back to the oil reservoir H9. Thepumps I20 and I2I may be continuously operating so that when none of thevalves are open fluid is merely returned back through the line 9' to thereservoir.

The center pin conduits Referring to Figs. to 13 inclusive, there isrotatably mounted within the center pin 49 an oil directing cylinderI53. The inner surface of the center pin 49 is formed with a pluralityof vertically spaced annular grooves I54 to I59 inclusive. Within eachannular groove 'are two sets, I60 and I6I, of packing. This packingcomprises a plurality of layers, each approximately V- shaped incross-section, as shown in Fig. 13, and a plurality of coiled expansionsprings I52 maintain the sets of packing I60 and I6I spaced apart. Thusin each of the grooves I54 to I59 is an annular space containing springsthrough which oil may flow. The springs not only serve to maintain theseannular oil spaces but also cause the packing rings to bear more tightlyagainst the side of the cylinder I53. 5

The top of the inner cylinder I53 has a plurality of downwardlyextending oil ducts I63, I64, I65, I66, I61, and I68 bored therein. Theduct I63 has its lower end communicating with the oil space of thegroove I59, the duct I64 has its lower end in communication with the oilspace of the annular groove I58, the duct I65 has its lower end incommunication with the oil space of the groove I51, the duct I66 has itslower end in communication with the oil space of the groove I56, theduct I61 has its lower end in communication with the oil space of thegroove I55, and the duct I68 has its lower end in communication with theoil space of the groove I54. Inasmuch as these oil spaces and groovesare circular, the

vertical ducts are in communication with their respective grooves in anyposition of rotation of the cylinder I 53 within the center pin 49.

As illustrated in Fig. 12, the center pin also has a radial borecommunicating with each of the annular oil grooves I54 to I59 inclusive,and to these radial bores are connected the conduits I36, I44, I34, I43,I50, and'I38 leading to the various hydraulic cylinders beneath thetumtable.-

The center pin 49 is preferably formed in two half shell sections boltedtogether as at I69.

Referring to Fig. 11, there is disposed axially within the oilconducting cylinder I53 a tube I10. This tube has its lower endextending through an opening in a bottom plate I and secured to abracket I12. Slidable on the tube I10 is a sleeve I13, which has aportion projecting slidably through the opening in the bottom plate I1I. The

lower end of this extension is connectedto a cable I15 guided around anidler pulley I18. The cable I15 may extend to the throttle on thecarburetor of the tractor. There is also a stop collar I11 welded to thesleeve I13, which limits downward movement of the latter. At the upperend of the sleeve is another welded collar I18. This collar is adaptedto be engaged by a part I19 of a bell crank I80. The bell crank in turnis pivotally connected as at I8I to the top of the cylinder I53. A handlever I82 suitably connected by a cable I83 with the bell crank I servesto impart vertical movement to the sleeve I13 for the purpose ofcontrolling th throttle from on top of the turntable. In addition to theabove, an electric wire I84 extending from the self starter for thetractor extends upwardly through the tube I10 and is electricallyconnected to a fixed contact ring I85 surrounding the upper end of thetube I10. Another electric wire I86 extends upwardly through the tubeI10 and is electrically connected to another contact ring I81. The ringsI85 and I81 engage brushes I88 and I89 respectively which rotate withthe cylinder I53 and with the turntable. Wires I90 and I9I leading fromthese brushes extend to a starter button I92 and to an ignition switchI93 which are conveniently mounted on the turntable. Thus the startingof the tractor, and the hydraulic steering thereof through the steeringcylinders I45 and I46 may be controlled by an operator seated on theseat I94 -of the turntable. In addition this operator may hydraulicallycontrol the clutch of the tractor engine through the hydraulic linesleading to the engine clutch cylinder.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is a gasoline engine I95 mounted on theturntable having a driving connection through sprocket I96, endlesschain I91, and sprocket I98 with a shaft I99. The shaft I99 in turndrives a smaller sprocket 200 which is connected by an endless chain 20Iwith a sprocket 202 mounted on a shaft 203. The shaft 203 has a bevelgear thereon driving a bevel gear 204 which is ri idly connected to avertical shaft driving a pinion 205. The pinion 205 engages thestationary ring gear 52 so that when the pinion is rotated the turntablerotates around the ring gear. The gasoline engine I95 may also beemployed for driving the hydraulic pumps I20 and I2I.

The operation In use of the improved tractor crane, the crane may ofcourse be transported to a desired location by running the tractor inthe usual manner. When actually working on a location, the operatorseats himself on the turntable seat I94 where he can both operate andsteer the tractor and operate the crane.

The first operation is to open the valves I25 and I26. This causes therams in the cylinders I06 and I09 to be extended to push the outriggerwheels from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dot-and-dash lineposition therein. This extension of the outrigger wheels is bestaccomplished while the tractor is moving along slowly. With theoutrigger wheels extended,- a much firmer support is afforded for theoperation of the crane. Next the operator opens the valve I23 to causethe boom section 82 to be extended. The valve I23 is then placed inneutral or holding position. Following this the valve I30 may be openedto cause flow of hydraulic fluid into the cylinder 11, and extension ofthe sheaves 14. This causes a pull on the cable II and an elevating ofthe boom to a desired angular position, such as the dot-and-dash lineposition of Fig. 1. When the desired angular position has been obtained,then the valve I30 is placed in neutral or holding position. Next thevalve I3l may be opened to cause a flow of hydraulic fluid into thecylinder IIJIJ and raising of the sheaves 94 and 96 to bring the blockand tackle or hook on the suspended portion of the cable 90 to thedesired working position. By fully extending the ram in the cylinderI00, the load may be raised to a maximum elevation. If it is thendesired to again lower the load line 90, the valve I3I may be placed inreverse position and the weight of the load will cause a lowering of thesheaves 94 and 98 and will force fluid from the cylinder I back into thereservoir. In case the weight of the load is insufficient, the shaft 98connecting the sheaves 94 and 96 may be weighted. During theseoperations the clutch connected with the engine I95.may be operated toswing the turntable to a desired position of rotation.

When the work is finished and it is desired to return-the boom totelescoped position, this is best accomplished by having the boom in thedot-and-dash line position of Fig. 1. Then, with the valve I23 shiftedto reverse position, the weight of the boom section 82 will push the ram85 back into the cylinder 83 and the hydraulic fluid from the cylinderwill flow back to the fluid reservoir II 9. After the boom has'beentelescoped, then the valve I30 may be placed in reverse position andgravity will cause the boom to swing from the dot-and-dash line positionof Fig. 1 to the full line position therein. This of course causes theram I8 of the cylinder II to be pushed back to the position of Fig. 1,and the fluid from the cylinder I'I flows back into the oil reservoirH9.

To return the outrigger wheels to normal driving position, the valvesI25 and I26 are first tion, and all of such changes are contemplated asmay come within the scope of the claims. WhatIclaim is: 1. In a crane orthe like having a frame, a boom mounted on said frame for pivotalmovement in a vertical plane,"a guiding sheave at the portion of thecable when the movable sheave is moved away from the other of saidspaced sheaves on the frame, and means on the frame for causing movementof said movable sheave.

2. In a crane or the like having a supporting frame, a boom mounted onsaid frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a pair of sheavessupported on said frame, a hydraulic ram having one end connected tosaid frame and having a movable portion, a pair of sheaves supported onsaid movable portion of the hydraulic ram in spaced relation from thefirst pair of sheaves, and a load line cable having a load lifting endand having its opposite end fixed relative to said supporting frame andthen extending upwardly to one of the sheaves on the movable portion ofthe ram, downwardly to one of the sheaves supported on the frame,upwardly to the other sheave on the movable portion of the ram, and'downwardly to the other sheave on the frame whereby operation of the ramwill cause a pull of multiple length on the cable to lift objects, a

. guiding sheave supported at an elevation above shifted to reverseposition and then the valve I24 is opened to causea flow of oil underpressure to enter the outrigger return cylinder III. This acts throughthe slide carriage I I I to exert a pull on the cab es II I and 8, whichcables in turn pull the outrigger slides 3| and- 38 back to the fullline position of Fig. 2. During this operation the oil from thecylinders I06 and I09 is returned to the reservoir I I9.

It is obvious, therefore, that a light weight but eflicient cranestructure has been provided which can be mounted on a relatively smalltractor and which can be operated by one man. It is also obvious thatdue to the hydraulic arrangement for controlling the angular position ofthe boom, a fast acting boom is made possible. Heretofore the angularposition of a boom has been commonly changed through the use of a slowacting screw. The novel hydraulic operation for the load line is alsofast acting and is more powerful and efficient than the drum arrangementcommonly employed. Due to the novel center pin arrangement including thecylinder I53 for the hydraulic conduits which is rotatable within thecenter pin 49, the hydraulic operation is made possible in a'turntablemounted crane, and it is possible to conduct hydraulic fluid both tolocations above or below the turntable without interfering with therotation of the latter and even while the turntable is rotating.

Although only one form of the invention has been shown and described, itis obvious that various changes and modifications maybe made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the inventhe frame, and a guiding sheave onthe outer end of the boom, the load lifting end of the cable beingguided over said guiding sheaves.

3. In a crane or the like having a frame, a

boom mounted on said frame for pivotal move- I ment on an intermediatefulcrum to change the boom angle in a vertical plane, a cable having oneend secured to the inner swingable end portion of the boom and havingits other end anis moved away from the other sheave, and means forcausing movement of said movable sheave.

4. In a crane'or the like having a frame, a boom mounted on said framefor pivotal movement to change the boom angle, a cable having one endsecured to a swingable portion of the boom and having its other endanchored, sheaves, at least one of which is movable, carried by theframe and cooperable with a portion of the cable between the anchoredend and the boom secured end to exert a pull on the latter portion ofthe cable when the movable sheave is moved away from the other sheave,and a hydraulic ram for causing movement of said movable sheave.

5. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom, means projectingupwardly from the frame and permanently pivotally connected to the boomoutwardly of its inner end to provide for angular swinging movement ofthe boom in a vertical plane. a track extending angularly upwardly fromthe frame, means on the inner end of the boom engageable with said trackto move longitudinally thereof, and means including a cable and sheavesof its inner end to provide for angular swinging movement 'of the boomin a vertical plane, a

track extending angularly upwardly from the frame, a carriage on theinner end of the boom cooperable with said track, and hydraulicallyoperated means including a cable and sheaves for exerting a pull on saidcarriage to cause angular movement of the boom. I

7. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for saidvehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the liftingmechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, hydraulic rams forlaterally spreading the wheels of said set, and cable means forreturning said wheels and rams to normal position, and means forexerting a pull on said cable means.

8. In a vehicle, a turntable mounted on said vehicle, lifting mechanismon said turntable, manual controls on the turntable cfor said liftingmechanism, wheels for said vehicle including a set positioned below theportion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur,means controlled from the turntable for spreading the wheels of saidset, and means controlled from the turntable for returning said wheelsto normal position.

9. In a vehicle having a frame portion, a turntable mounted on saidframe portion, hydraulically operated members on the vehicle frame,hydraulically operated lifting mechanism on the turntable, hydrauliccontrol valves on the tumtable, means for conducting hydraulic fluidunder pressure from said control valves to the hydraulically operatedlifting mechanism on the turntable, a hollow cylindrical center pinprojecting upwardly from the vehicle frame around which said turntablerotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable andwithin said center pin, and means including registering ducts in saidinner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic fluidfrom said control valves on the turntable to said hydraulically operatedmembers on the vehicle frame.

10. In a device including hydraulically operated units and having aframe, a turntable mounted on said frame, a hollow cylindrical centerpin projecting upwardly from the frame around which said turntablerotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable andwithin said center pin, and means including registering ducts in saidinner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic fluidto said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in the inner cylindricalmember having longitudinally spaced radially extending ports, and theducts in the center pin including spaced annular grooves on the innerwall surface of the center pin, each groove registering with one of saidradial ports of the inner cylindrical member.

11. In a device including hydraulically operated units and having aframe, a turntable mounted on said frame, a hollow cylindrical centerpin projecting upwardly from the frame around which said turntablerotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable andwithin said center pin, and means including registering ducts in saidinner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic liuidto said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in the innercylinregistering with one of said radial ports on the inner cylindricalmember, there also being two sets of packing rings in each annulargroove, and means for maintaining a space for hydraulic fluid betweensaid sets of packing rings.

12. In a device including hydraulically operated units and having aframe, a turntable mounted on said frame, a hollow cylindrical centerpin projecting upwardly from the frame around which said turntablerotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable andwithin said center pin, and means including registering ducts in saidinner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic fluidto said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in the inner cylindricalmember having longitudinally spaced radially extending ports, and theducts in the center pin including spaced annular grooves on the innerwall surface of the center pin, each groove registering with one of saidradial ports of the inner cylindrical member. there also being two setsof packing rings in each annular groove, and a plurality of expansionsprings between the sets of packing rings in each groove for maintaininga space for hydraulic fluid and for urging the packing rings into aneffective oil sealing position.

13. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom mounted on said framefor pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a guiding sheave at the outerend of said boom movable with the boom, a guiding sheave mounted on theframe near the inner end of the boom, 2. load line cable having a loadlifting portion guided over the guiding sheaves, spaced sheaves, atleast one of which is movable, carried by the frame and cooperable witha portion of the cable to exert a pull on the load lifting portion ofthe cable when the movable sheave is moved away from the other of saidspaced sheaves on the frame, and an hydraulic ram on the frame forcausing movement of said movable sheave.

14. In a crane or the like having a boom supporting frame, meansupstanding from the frame and pivotally connected to the boom at adistance outwardly from the inner end of the boom to support the boomfor pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a cable guiding sheave on theouter end of the boom movable with the boom,

a cable guiding sheave supported at an elevation from the frame near theinner end of the boom when said inner end is in raised position, a loadline cable having an outer load lifting portion guided by the sheave onthe boom, said load line cable extending longitudinally of the boom tothe sheave which is supported at an elevation from the frame near theinner end of the boom, and means including additional sheaves and anhydraulic ram mounted on the boom supporting frame and cooperable withthe inner end portion of the cable for exerting a pull on the loadlifting portion of the cable in any position of adjustment of the innerend of the boom.

15. In a crane or the like having a frame. a boom mounted on said framefor pivotal movement in a vertical plane to change the boom angle. acable having one end secured to a swingable portion of the boom, andmeans including an hydraulic ram on the frame for exerting a pull onsaid cable to cause pivotal movement of the boom in a vertical plane.

16. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom mounted on said framefor pivotal movement in a vertical plane to change the boom angle, acable having one end secured to a swingable portion of the boom, andmeans including sheaves and an hydraulic ram on the frame for exerting apull of multiplied length on said cable to cause pivotal movement of theboom in a vertical plane.

17. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom, means projectingupwardly from the frame and permanently pivotally connected to the boomoutwardly of its inner end to provide for angular swinging movement ofthe boom in a vertical plane, a track extending upwardly from the frame,means on the inner end of the boom engageable with said track to movelongitudinally thereof, and hydraulically operated means including acable and sheaves for exerting a downward pull on said track engagingmeans to cause angular movement of the boom.

18. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom, means pivotallyconnected at its lower end to the frame and at its upper end to the boomoutwardly of the inner end of the boom to provide for angular swingingmovement of the boom in a vertical plane, a track extending upwardlyfrom the frame at an oblique angle, means on the inner end of the boomengageable with said track, and hydraulically operated means including acable and sheaves for exerting a pull on said track engaging means tocause angular movement of the boom.

19. In a vehicle having a lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for saidvehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the liftingmechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, hydraulic rams forlaterally spreading the wheels of said set, cable means for returningsaid wheels and rams to normal position, and an additional hydraulic ramfor exerting a pull on said cable means.

20. In a vehicle having a lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for saidvehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the liftingmechanism where greatest lifting strains occur, a transverse wheelsupporting slide for the wheels on each side of said set, means on thevehicle supporting said slides for transverse movement, and transverselyextending hydraulically operated means on the vehicle positionedadjacent said slides and co-acting therewith to move the slidesoutwardly.

21. In a vehicle having a lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for saidvehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the liftingmechanism where greatest 'lifting strains occur, a transverse wheelsupporting slide for the wheels on each side of said set, said slidesbeing positioned one below the other, means for slidably suspending saidslides from the vehicle for transverse movement, the lowermost slidebeing additionally slidably suspended from the slide thereabove, andmeans for causing outward and inward movement of said slides.

22. In a vehicle having a frame portion, a

turntable mounted on said frame portion, hy-

draulically operated members on the vehicle frame, hydraulicallyoperated lifting mechanism on the turntable, hydraulic control valves onthe turntable, means for conducting hydraulic fluid under pressure fromsaid control valves to the hydraulically operated lifting mechanism onthe turntable, a pair of cylindrical center pin members rotatable onearound the other, one of said members being rotatable with the turntableand one of said members projecting upwardly from the vehicle frame, andmeans including registering ducts in said center pin members forconducting hydraulic fluid from said control valves on the turntable tosaid hydraulically operated members on the vehicle frame.

23. In a device including hydraulically operat-' ed units and having aframe, a turntable mounted on said frame, a pair of cylindrical centerpin members rotatable one around the other, one of said center pinmembers being connected to the turntable and the other of said membersprojecting upwardly from the frame, and means including registeringducts in said cylindrical center pin members for conducting hydraulicfluid to said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in one of saidmembers having longitudinally spaced radially extending ports, and theducts in the other center pin member including spaced annular grooves,each groove registering with one of said radial ports;

24. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, outrigger meansmovably positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism wheregreatest tilting strains occur, hydraulic rams for laterally moving saidoutrigger means, cable means for returning said outrigger means and ramsto normal position, and means for exerting a pull on said cable means.

25. In a, vehicle, a turntable mounted on said vehicle, liftingmechanism on said turntable, manual controls on the turntable for saidlifting mechanism, outrigger means for said vehicle positioned below theportion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur,means controlled from the turntable for laterally moving said outriggermeans, and means controlled from the turntable for returning saidoutrigger means to normal position.

26. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, outrigger means forthe vehicle movably positioned below the portion of the liftingmechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, an hydraulic ram forlaterally moving said outrigger means, cable means for returning saidoutrigger means to normal portion, andan additional hydraulic ram forexerting a pull on said cable means.

2'7. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, outrigger means forsaid vehicle positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism wheregreatest strains occur, said outrigger means including a transversesupporting slide and means on the vehicle supporting said slide fortransverse movement, and transversely extending hydraulically operatedmeans on the vehicle co-actlng with said slide to move the latteroutwardly.

ROY O. BILLINGS.

